Hopkinton: Moderate summer brings good, bad news for farmers

Monday

Aug 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Anamika RoyDaily News Staff

HOPKINTON - While the sun was shining, it didn't feel like a typical August. For local farmers trying to sell produce at the Hopkinton Farmers Market, the balmy temperatures come with mixed feelings.For Laura Davis of Long Life Farm, an organic farm in Hopkinton, the mild summer was a relief.“We’re not having heat stroke out there, working,” said Davis on Sunday at the market, held on the town common. “It’s been a great growing season.”Davis’ husband, Donald Sutherland, said assessing the weather’s impact on their crops is more complicated.“It all starts here,” said Sutherland, pointing to the ground.As organic farmers, Davis and Sutherland make sure the soil is high in nutrients. They believe more nutrients in the soil yield strong plants, he said.“It makes them more resilient to swings (in temperature),” said Sutherland.So far, tomatoes are the biggest casualty of this year’s temperature changes.Davis has noticed that they ripen slower in cool temperatures, which may cause problems later in the fall.The typical growing season for an organic farm starts in early February, with seeds planted indoors. Those seeds are brought outside in early April and the last crop is harvested in October.The first frost of the fall usually happens in the first week of October, ending the growing season for tomatoes and peppers.“Every plant has a different need,” said Sutherland.But plant growth isn’t just sensitive to temperature changes. The amount of sunlight the plants receive also impacts the likelihood of mold and insects.Jason Lobisser owns The Pumpkin Farm in Millis. His farm just lost all 2,500 of its tomato plants because of an airborne mold called "late blight," which thrives in cool, overcast conditions.“You have to have a good outlook on life if you want to be a farmer,” said Lobisser.Tomatoes are a large portion of his business between July and August. However, Lobisser doesn’t consider the tomato plants a huge loss because most farmers are selling tomatoes this time of year, making them readily available for customers. Potatoes, onions, winter squash and greens are his biggest sellers.The Pumpkin Farm is not a certified organic farm but uses similar growing methods as Long Life Farm. Organic farms risk the sporadic April frost and start their growing seasons early.“We’re usually selling tomatoes by July 1, who else has that?” said Lobisser.The Hopkinton Farmers Market is open on the town common from 1 to 5 p.m. every Sunday until Oct. 19.Anamika Roy can be reached at 508-626-3957 or aroy@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @anamikaroy.